En-courage

I love words. The dictionary is one of my favorite books, and I keep one next to my Bible. I love to look up word meanings to gain deeper understanding of God is saying to me. So this morning we're going to look at the word Encourage.

First encourage:
-noun
the quality of mind or spirit that enables a person to face difficulty, danger, pain, etc. without
fear; bravery.

-synonyms
fearlessness, dauntlessness, intrepidity, pluck, spirit

And a few more definitions:
dauntless - not to be intimidated
pluck - bravery, boldness, determination
spirit - excellent disposition or attitude in terms of vigor, courage, firmness of intent

Courage. I want to have it! Boy, do I need it!

Now let's look at the prefix en:
To cover or provide with
To cause to be

You can see why God is big on encouragement. So when God says to encourage one another, he's telling us to provide one another with braveness, to cause each other to be bold and determined in the face of difficulty. Wow! If he tells us to do that, then it must be possible. We have the ability to make each other courageous!

"Therefore encourage one another and build one another up..."

"And we urge you, brothers, admonish the idle, encourage the fainthearted, help the weak, be patient with them all."

"My purpose is that they may be encouraged in heart and united in love, so that they may have the full riches of complete understanding, in order that they may know the mystery of God, namely, Christ."

"Let us not give up meeting together, as some are in the habit of doing, but let us encourage one another—and all the more as you see the Day approaching."

Oh, how we all need to be encouraged! And since bravery, boldness, and determination are godly qualities and God's desire for us, our enemy works very hard to discourage us. He wants us to give in and give up. There is much to discourage us. BUT, God is with us, for us and in us. What can man do to us? Our God reigns! Jesus Christ is Lord and his purpose will prevail!

Who will you be able to encourage today? May the God of hope encourage your heart and may you cause others to be brave, confident and determined to stand firm in faith in the face of the circumstances they are facing.